Extra-Organisational Systems: A Challenge to the Software Engineering Paradigm

Vulnerability is discussed in the context of data processing and information management applications. It is argued that a new class of information technology applications must now be recognised, in which one or more organisations cooperate with small enterprises and private individuals. The term 'extra-organisational systems' is coined for such applications. Using illustrations arising from studies in the field of consumer EFTS, it is shown that the public is generally regarded as 'usees', beyond the system and affected by it, rather than as part of the system. It is argued that conventional systems life-cycle notions and techniques are inappropriate to extra-organisational systems. Rather than the software engineering, artefact-oriented philosophy inherent in existing techniques, such systems demand an alternative organically-based paradigm.